Harsh Vardhan appointed Delhi BJP chief

New Delhi: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday appointed Harsh Vardhan as president of the party's Delhi unit. Party president Rajnath Singh made the appointment after accepting Vijay Goel's resignation. Goel has been nominated to the Rajya Sabha from Rajasthan.

Harsh Vardhan was BJP's chief ministerial candidate in the Delhi Assembly elections last year. The party failed to get majority. It bagged 32 of the 70 seats.

The appointment of Harsha Vardhan as Delhi BJP chief is aimed at projecting a united leadership in Delhi and end the infighting in the party's unit.

Harsh Vardhan, 59, was the Leader of Opposition in Delhi Assembly which has been placed under suspended animation.

The doctor-turned-politician has been a five-time MLA. He won from Krishan Nagar seat in 1993, 1998, 2003, 2008 and 2013. He will hold the dual charge of leader of the Opposition and party chief against BJP's 'one-man-one- post' principle.

I'll work with killer instinct: Harsh Vardhan

Newly-appointed Delhi BJP chief Harsh Vardhan vowed to work with a "killer instinct" to ensure the party's victory and focus on exposing Congress' alleged corruption and AAP's "anarchist" agenda.

Vardhan said he will foremost try to rejuvenate the party cadres and launch an aggressive campaign against AAP and Congress in the run up to Lok Sabha polls.

"My main focus would be to ensure BJP's victory in all the seven Lok Sabha seats. I will try my best to bring enthusiasm among party workers so that we can put up an aggressive fight in LS polls," he said.

"The party will expose Congress and AAP's anarchist agenda. BJP is ready to face the electorate in Lok Sabha elections and we will put in all our efforts to win the hearts of Delhiites," he added.

He also indicated making organizational changes in BJP's Delhi unit.

Asked whether he was happy about the new assignment, Vardhan said he would try his best to live up to the expectation of party's central leadership.

"It is a huge responsibility and I will try my best to ensure BJP's victory in all the seats," he said.

Fondly called "Doctor Saab" by supporters and opponents alike, Vardhan is known for his efforts in eradicating polio in Delhi when he was the Health Minister.

Vardhan, known for his simplicity and amiable leadership style, is admired by many leaders belonging to various political parties.

Recognizing his leadership qualities, Vardhan, who hails from Baniya community, was given presidentship of Delhi BJP for three terms between 2003 and 2008.